Teacher Portrait – Mr Olav

Originally from the West Coast of the United States, Mr Olav, Music teacher and Head of the Music Department, has been working and living in Germany and India for quite a few years. Before teaching, he was a professional double bassist in orchestras in both the United States and Germany. We reached out to Mr Olav to find out more about his background, passion for music and teaching, and his ideas for reopening of physical school, as well as the importance of inclusion in the fields of creative arts. 

I would absolutely love to see live concerts again at TISB! – Mr Olav, Head of Music Department 

Being on his fourth year at TISB, Mr Olav is very happy about both working and living on campus. “What I like the best is the opportunity to work with engaged students, interesting colleagues, and live on a beautiful campus”, says Mr Olav, who is a happy about the way he and his team managed to keep Music alive during the lockdown. But he is also pleased with the way the department managed to develop the program further. “So many programs were shut but we have managed to come out better than where we started with students”, says Mr Olav, who recently held the IBDP Concert on campus for a group of on-campus students and members of staff.   

Since 1 March is the Zero Discrimination Day, and Mr Olav is supervisor for the TISB Project Daya club, a group of students working against discrimination and for greater inclusion, we asked him about his opinions on the topic. “Inclusion is a topic of personal importance to me. Especially looking at the Arts, marginalized communities have contributed so much of value and it is important that these are included without hesitancy or condition”, says Mr Olav and quotes the legendary cellist Pablo Casal: “Do you know what the most beautiful word in the English language is? Variety!” 

Looking forward to the reopening of physical school, Mr Olav is particularly excited about hosting live concerts again at TISB. “The last one we had was such a great experience for all involved and I have had so many students asking when they can go on stage again”, says Mr Olav. He is also excited and hoping to be able to restart an outreach programme that was put on hold due to the pandemic. “Bringing the Arts to the individuals and communities that are otherwise forgotten and then going further so they are part of the process would be a dream come true.” 

A quick Q&A with Mr Olav 

What is your favourite food? 
Tough question!  I am vegan and cook so that is not easy to answer but I will say, here in India, mangos! 

What is your favourite music? 
Any that is played well and with originality. 

What is your favourite book?  
‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed’ by Paulo Friere. It changed the way I think of education. 

What is your favourite animal?  
Any, as long as they are not trying to eat me. 

What is your favourite colour?  
Red. 

What is your favourite hobby?  
Again a tough one! I think cooking, but only with and for certain special people. It is a beautiful way to understand other cultures and ourselves. The food of Gujarat holds a special place in my heart.